I keep seeing the term "ensuite" used in British accomodations and am unclear whether it means toilet facilities are in the room, or washing facilites, or bath/shower, or all three, or some combo. Fearing reaction of spouse & teen son to the idea of a bathroom down the hall, I need to have this clarified. Help! (also, tips on hotels in to 70 - 100 pound range accessible by tube from Heathrow)

This misuse of French usually means sink, toilet and shower/bath as part of your room. <BR> <BR>twenj

Ensuite means there's a bathroom in the room. Could be a shower instead of a tub. All rooms would have a sink and mirror even if the bath is down the hall.

<BR>If you get over to the continent, another one that's unfamiliar is hotel "garni".....I thought this was the garni hotel chain until I found out that garni means there's no restaurant.

Ensuite means the room has its own private bathroom with toilet, sink and tub/shower - usually European hotels have tubs with hand held showers, it is rather rare to find just a shower stall. Occasionally (and we had this a couple of times) there will be a "water closet", i.e. WC - which is the toilet in a tiny room with a door of it's own adjacent to the "bathroom" where the sink and tub are. Whatever the layout ensuite means it is your private bathroom as it is in hotels in the U.S. <BR>If it says ensuite you DO NOT go down the hall. <BR> <BR>If you are traveling with family (and I gather there are 3 of you) I would not plan on taking the tube if you have luggage. It is a horrible ordeal as there can be many steps, escalators, etc. We always use a driver service pickup (check out www.london-transports.com). We have used several services and this one is the best. Ray Skinner is the owner and a delightful man. The charge into London from Heathrow is about 35 pounds (THAT IS FOR THE CAR, NOT PER PERSON, plus tip, and it is door to door service. You do not have to schlep your luggage up and down stairs. It's well worth it after you get off a long flight to find someone holding your name on a sign and you get a comfortable ride into town! <BR>I really do not know of any hotels to recommend as we always rent an apartment in London (you might consider that, as you have more room, kitchen for snacks & breakfast if you want, etc.). <BR>Enjoy your trip!!

The three terms used in UK hotel listings are Ensuite, Private and Shared. Ensuite means a full bathroom (possibly shower instead of tub) in your room. Private means full bath or shower that is yours alone - but is down the hall. Shared is what it sounds like - bath down the hall shared by two or more rooms.

As per shared baths, when we traveled with our teenage daughter, at one point we got two rooms with shared bath...but our two rooms were the only ones which shared that bath (everyone else at the b&b was "ensuite". It worked out fine, and my daughter was much happier with her own room. Just be sure to check ahead.

Don't be too afraid to use the tube to get to town from Heathrow. We did it with six people and it was no hassle at all.We don't carry alot of bags, You are first on at the airport and you can easily find a spot for your large bag between your legs. The Earl's Court area has lots of hotels in that range and is a direct tube ride from Heathrow.

The St. Giles Hotel has received favorable comments in this forum, and the price booking through the web is about 90 pounds. I'm staying there next month. URL is http://www.stgiles.com/london/default.html

Actually, "ensuite" isn't a misuse of french. I should be read "En suite" (in the suit)and not "ensuite" (then) the suite (from the verb suivre : to follow) being the people following a king or noble and by extension the appartments where they were lodged. <BR> <BR>This meaning dissapeared in modern french, but survived in english.

Lori....re: check out www.london-transports.com <BR> <BR>This is just what our family needs...a less expensive way to get from Gatwick into London! But I went to that site and I can't figure out how to find Ray Skinner's service anywhere. Would you please tell me what to do specifically to find him? Thanks!

<BR>Having the same peoblem trying to bring up www.london-transports.com <BR> <BR>Get a flag saying it is unkown. <BR> <BR>Traveling with family and would appreciate the info <BR> <BR>Thanks johnhedge

Laura/Johnhedge: Try <BR> <BR>www.timeout.com/london <BR> <BR>Click on "essential info" and you will find links for public transportation in London. <BR> <BR>Hope THIS helps!

Joe's right--if you have rolling luggage--and not much of it--don't be afraid to take the tube from Heathrow. Chances are you're arriving very early in the morning and you should be able to get a seat with no trouble. Take the Piccadilly line to the Gloucester Road stop (no transfers) & the Pic line has an elevator up to the street (no steps). Some hotels (wiht en suite rooms) in your price range in this (Kensington) area: Montana, Adelphi, Abcone (very basic, but clean, friendly, great breakfast included). If you want to change at Gloucester Road and take the Green line one stop to Earl's Court: Burns Hotel. Check out www.hotel-assist.com. Have a great trip!

re "ensuite". We found in B and Bs in Ireland and England that occasionally a small cubicle had been fitted into the corner of a bedroom to provide "ensuite" facilities. In some of them, there was barely room to turn around, a tiny shower, and no place to hang or lay a toilet kit, shaving gear, etc. In one BB the partition did not even extend to the (high) ceiling! <BR>Often, the "private" or even "shared" bath was right next door, huge, spotless and much more inviting than the "ensuite"! <BR>So it may be worth your while to ask questions about the size of the bathroom. <BR> <BR>Have fun. <BR>Con

I am sorry but my brain must be asleep because I gave you the wrong web address for Ray Skinner and London Transfers. <BR>It's www.london-transfers.com and his e-mailis [email protected]. I just posted this separately too in case you don't catch in down here in "ensuite". Sorry about this .. if you use him you will be happy,it's a great service.

"it's www.london-transfers.com and his e-mailis [email protected]" <BR> <BR>Thanks, Lori, went to that site and bookmarked it. I know we will use his service!

Enjoy your trip Laura. Again, sorry for the wrong website.

Bob, <BR> <BR>Others have clearly defined the term "ensuite" for you here. Just wanted to add a suggestion about hotel locations in London.... <BR> <BR>While convenience to the airport is one factor, what's probably more important is the hotel's location relative to the sights you want to visit while you are in London. In that light, I'd suggest as central a location as you can afford. If you stay too far afield, you'll be faced with a daily commute for seeing the sights in town. Its a balancing act-- price and location are often inversely related. <BR> <BR>Central locations like Mayfair, St. James's, central Westminster, and others are a bit more convenient for most sightseeing than more distant spots like Earl's Court, Paddington/Bayswater, South Kensington, etc. One spot you may want to consider is the Travel Inn County Hall--a very central, modern "budget" hotel located within walking distance of Parliament. Check for previous discussions on this forum about this hotel. <BR> <BR>enjoy London... <BR> <BR>Dave White <BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com <BR>[email protected]

If you do want the TravelInn County Hall -- BOOK EARLY. It is a real find -- amazing location at budget prices. But because of that they are often fully booked. I haven't stayed there (I usually rent a flat) but I did check it out for some friends last year and if I wanted a budget hotel this is the only one I'd consider. The rooms are basic modern and don't have "views" but just outside is the River, Millenium Wheel (London Eye), and directly across from Big Ben/Parliament/Westminster Abbey.